NHL news: Re-alignment in 2012, Cogliano traded to Ducks

The Edmonton Oilers traded forward Andrew Cogliano to the Anaheim Ducks for a second round pick. In other news, Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold hinted at a divisional re-alignment, which would see the Winnipeg Jets in the Central Division of the West.

As the National Hockey League's free agency period carries on through July, news has been slow as most of the key moves were made in the first few days.

The Edmonton Oilers tweaked their roster Tuesday, parting ways with forward Andrew Cogliano and acquiring a second round draft choice in 2013 from the Anaheim Ducks.

The 24-year-old Toronto native has appeared in every Oilers game in the four seasons since he was drafted 25th overall in 2005. In 328 games with Edmonton, he scored 59 goals and 146 points. Cogliano has seen a decline in his statistics since his rookie year, where he put up 18 goals and 27 assists in 82 games.

Last year, Cogliano had just 11 goals and 24 assists after his lowest point total of his career in 2009-10, where he put up just 28 points in 82 games.

In other NHL news, Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold revealed details to a Minneapolis radio station regarding the potential re-alignment of the NHL's divisions for the 2012-13 season.

After the Atlanta Thrashers were relocated to Winnipeg this summer, rumours of re-alignment have been spreading since this seasons schedule will have the Jets playing in the Eastern Conference's South East division, where the Thrashers spent the last 12 years. With teams like Detroit, Columbus, and Nashville all located within ear shot of the Eastern time zone, while Winnipeg is farther West, it's likely that the Jets will be moved over to the Western Conference after the season is over.

Leipold told KFAN Sports Radio in Minneapolis that the NHL is pondering a switch to a four division format, with seven or eight teams in each. The Wild, Leipold said, would be in a division with the Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, and possibly the Columbus Blue Jackets depending on which Conference they fall into.

"I'd love to have Winnipeg," Leipold told KFAN. "It's a natural rivalry for us. The closest team in the NHL is Winnipeg, so we'd love to have them in that division."

Talks of re-alignment will get to resume in December when the NHL Board of Governors are scheduled to meet. The Jets will open the 2011 season against the Montreal Canadiens at home on Sunday, Oct. 9 at the MTS Centre.